C. diff test cost in Houston, TX
In Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, 56 hospitals list a cash price for C. difficile toxin gene test (stool PCR): from $36.52 to $2,517.38, with a median of $147.28. The lowest listed price is at Hsa St. Joseph — $110.76 less than the median here. Across Texas, the median is $175.50 at 281 hospitals.
- The median here, $147.28, is 8% above the US median of $136.79.
- That is 4.0× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($37.27).
- Houston, TX has the lowest median of 4 metro areas in Texas with at least 10 hospitals pricing this code.
- 15 of 56 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 56 facilities across 21 cities for code 87493, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 4, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Feb 28, 2026 and Sep 17, 2026.
Lowest$36.52Hsa St. Joseph
Median$147.28half of hospitals charge less
Highest$2,517.38in this market
Difference68.9×highest vs lowest
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX.
median
Lowest $36.52Highest $7,454.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hsa St. Joseph lowest Houston, TX · (713) 757-1000 C DIFF AMPLIFIED PROBE+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $36.52 | $186.37 | $18.10–$186.37 | 80% |
| Harris Health Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 C DIFF AMPLIFIED PROBE NUCLEIC ACID - CDIFFP File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $37.27 | $90.00 | $31.31–$95.33 | 59% |
| Harris Health Taub Loop Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 C DIFF AMPLIFIED PROBE NUCLEIC ACID - CDIFFP File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $37.27 | $90.00 | $31.31–$95.33 | 59% |
| St. Lukes Hospital at the Vintage Houston, TX · (832) 534-5000 HC LAB C DIFFICILE TOXIN PCR File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $38.85 | $111.00 | $26.83–$134.60 | 65% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Springwood Village Spring, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC LAB C DIFFICILE TOXIN PCR File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $38.85 | $111.00 | $26.83–$134.60 | 65% |
| CHI St. Luke's Health Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center Houston, TX · (832) 355-1000 HC LAB C DIFFICILE TOXIN PCR File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $38.85 | $111.00 | $26.83–$134.60 | 65% |
| St Luke's Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 637-7000 HC LAB C DIFFICILE TOXIN PCR File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $38.85 | $111.00 | $26.83–$134.60 | 65% |
| St Luke's the Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4050 HC LAB C DIFFICILE TOXIN PCR File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $38.85 | $111.00 | $26.83–$134.60 | 65% |
| St Luke's Lakeside Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 266-4055 HC LAB C DIFFICILE TOXIN PCR File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $38.85 | $111.00 | $26.83–$134.60 | 65% |
| The Community Hospital of Brazosport Lake Jackson, TX · (979) 297-4411 C DIFF AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $63.70 | $182.00 | $27.30–$156.92 | 65% |
| St Luke's Patients Medical Center Pasadena, TX · (281) 487-0700 C.DIFF AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $64.84 | $185.23 | $29.74–$185.23 | 65% |
| Sweeny Community Hospital Sweeny, TX · (979) 548-3311 Detection test by nucleic acid for clostridium difficile, amplified probe technique File of Sep 8, 2026 · source file | $98.88 | $164.80 | $49.44–$164.80 | 40% |
| Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE TOXIN B GENE PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $105.00 | $210.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE TOXIN B GENE PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $105.00 | $210.00 | — | 50% |
| The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE TOXIN B GENE PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $105.00 | $210.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE TOXIN B GENE PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $105.00 | $210.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE TOXIN B GENE PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $105.00 | $210.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE TOXIN B GENE PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $105.00 | $210.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE TOXIN B GENE PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $105.00 | $210.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE TOXIN B GENE PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $105.00 | $210.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE TOXIN B GENE PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $105.00 | $210.00 | — | 50% |
| The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC C DIFF TOXIN GENE, AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $110.00 | $220.00 | — | 50% |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE TOXIN A/B+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 5, 2026 · source file | $115.24 | $172.00 | $37.27–$163.40 | 33% |
| The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC C DIFF/EPI, AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $128.00 | $256.00 | — | 50% |
| Elite Hospital Kingwood Kingwood, TX · (832) 777-6165 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); Clostridium difficile toxin gene(s) amplified probe technique File of Sep 17, 2026 · source file | $129.33 | $258.66 | $194.00 | 50% |
| Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 242-3000 HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.28 | $460.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center The Woodlands, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.28 | $460.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.28 | $460.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.28 | $460.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 725-5000 HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.28 | $460.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.28 | $460.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital Humble, TX · (281) 540-7700 HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.28 | $460.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital Pearland, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.28 | $460.25 | — | 68% |
| Tirr Memorial Hermann Houston, TX HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.28 | $460.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital Katy, TX · (281) 392-1111 HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.28 | $460.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center The Woodlands, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $154.64 | $483.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital Humble, TX · (281) 540-7700 HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $154.64 | $483.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $154.64 | $483.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital Pearland, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $154.64 | $483.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 725-5000 HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $154.64 | $483.25 | — | 68% |
| Tirr Memorial Hermann Houston, TX HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $154.64 | $483.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $154.64 | $483.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $154.64 | $483.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 242-3000 HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $154.64 | $483.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital Katy, TX · (281) 392-1111 HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $154.64 | $483.25 | — | 68% |
| Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, TX HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $176.72 | $552.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $176.72 | $552.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital Bellaire, TX HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $176.72 | $552.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) Bellaire, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $176.72 | $552.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $176.72 | $552.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $176.72 | $552.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $176.72 | $552.25 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC RL C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $176.72 | $552.25 | — | 68% |
| Shriners Childrens Texas Galveston, TX · (409) 770-6600 C DIFF AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Mar 18, 2026 · source file | $178.90 | $178.90 | $32.75–$71.56 | — |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE TOXIN PCR+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 5, 2026 · source file | $182.24 | $272.00 | $37.27–$258.40 | 33% |
| Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $183.28 | $572.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $183.28 | $572.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $183.28 | $572.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $183.28 | $572.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $183.28 | $572.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) Bellaire, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $183.28 | $572.75 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital Bellaire, TX HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $183.28 | $572.75 | — | 68% |
| Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, TX HC C DIFFICILE AMPLIFIED PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $183.28 | $572.75 | — | 68% |
| Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC C DIFF/EPI, AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $194.00 | $388.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC C DIFF/EPI, AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $194.00 | $388.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC C DIFF/EPI, AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $194.00 | $388.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC C DIFF/EPI, AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $194.00 | $388.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC C DIFF/EPI, AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $194.00 | $388.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC C DIFF/EPI, AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $194.00 | $388.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC C DIFF/EPI, AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $194.00 | $388.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC C DIFF/EPI, AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $194.00 | $388.00 | — | 50% |
| Texas Children's Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 824-1000 TC CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE, TOXIN GENE(S), AMPLIFIED PROBE TECHNIQUE+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 5, 2026 · source file | $197.65 | $295.00 | $37.27–$280.25 | 33% |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Alvin, TX · (281) 332-2511 C DIFF TOX GENE AMP PROB File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $303.84 | $303.84 | $18.23–$273.46 | — |
| HCA Houston Mainland Texas City, TX · (281) 332-2511 C DIFF TOX GENE AMP PROB File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $303.84 | $303.84 | $18.23–$273.46 | — |
| Voyages of Sugar Land South Sugar Land, TX Clostridium AmpProbe Cdiff File of Aug 6, 2026 · source file | $372.70 | $372.70 | $93.18–$279.53 | — |
| Texas Orthopedic Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 799-8600 C DIFF TOX B NAP1 ST AMP File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $372.70 | $372.70 | $22.36–$335.43 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland Houston, TX · (713) 770-7000 C DIFF TOX GENE AMP PROB+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $401.85 | $401.85 | $24.11–$341.57 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Alvin, TX · (281) 332-2511 C DIFF TOX B NAP1 ST AMP File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $401.85 | $401.85 | $140.65 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress Houston, TX · (281) 359-7500 C DIFF TOX B NAP1 ST AMP File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $401.85 | $401.85 | $24.11–$341.57 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood Humble, TX · (281) 359-7500 C DIFF TOX B NAP1 ST AMP File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $401.85 | $401.85 | $140.65 | — |
| The Womans Hospital of Texas Houston, TX · (713) 790-1234 C DIFF TOX B NAP1 ST AMP File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $401.85 | $401.85 | $140.65 | — |
| HCA Houston Mainland Texas City, TX · (281) 332-2511 C DIFF TOX B NAP1 ST AMP File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $401.85 | $401.85 | $24.11–$361.67 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe Conroe, TX · (936) 539-1111 C DIFF TOX GENE AMP PROB File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $570.00 | $570.00 | $34.20–$513.00 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest Houston, TX · (281) 440-1000 C DIFF TOX GENE AMP PROB File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $603.87 | $603.87 | $36.23–$513.29 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast Pasadena, TX · (713) 359-1000 C DIFF TOX GENE AMP PROB+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $790.02 | $790.02 | $47.40–$711.02 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe Conroe, TX · (936) 539-1111 C DIFF TOX B NAP1 ST AMP File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $811.14 | $811.14 | $48.67–$730.03 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare West Houston, TX · (281) 588-8080 C DIFF TOX GENE AMP PROB+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,076.00 | $1,076.00 | $64.56–$968.40 | — |
| Cornerstone Hospital Conroe Conroe, TX C DIFFICILE AMP PROBE File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,455.00 | $1,455.00 | — | — |
| Texas Orthopedic Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 799-8600 C DIFF TOX GENE AMP PROB File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,834.91 | $1,834.91 | $110.09–$1,651.42 | — |
| The Womans Hospital of Texas Houston, TX · (713) 790-1234 C DIFF TOX GENE AMP PROB File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,902.80 | $1,902.80 | $114.17–$1,617.38 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball Houston, TX · (281) 351-7500 C DIFF TOX GENE AMP PROB+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $2,517.38 | $2,517.38 | $31.94–$2,139.77 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood Humble, TX · (281) 359-7500 C DIFF TOX GENE AMP PROB File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $3,033.21 | $3,033.21 | $181.99–$2,729.89 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress Houston, TX · (281) 359-7500 C DIFF TOX GENE AMP PROB File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $3,033.21 | $3,033.21 | $181.99–$2,578.23 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest Houston, TX · (281) 440-1000 C DIFF TOX B NAP1 ST AMP File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $7,454.00 | $7,454.00 | $447.24–$6,335.90 | — |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
Insurers pay The lowest and highest rates this hospital has agreed with insurance plans for the same item, from its price file. If the cash price is below what your plan pays and you have not met your deductible, paying cash can cost you less. More
Off list How much lower the cash price is than the list price.
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
Outpatient: lowest $36.52, median $147.28, highest $2,517.38 — a 68.9× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 41 facilities here, median $129.33. Inpatient and outpatient prices are not comparable and are kept on separate pages: the inpatient charge covers admission, not the same purchase.
Cash or insurance?
At 14 of 28 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 1 it is below every plan's rate. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.
What C. diff test is, what the price covers and why prices differ: C. diff test explained.